Kyle Lowry has been at the center of retirement chatter for months, but the facts point the other way for now. The 39 year old guard re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a one year deal this summer and will begin his 20th NBA season, a milestone reached by very few players. Lowry himself pushed back on retirement talk after the season and said “I do want to play one more year at a level where I can compete and play and help a team,” which makes his status clear heading into training camp.

Alongside that commitment there has always been the sense that Lowry is headed for television once he stops playing, and broadcasters noticed it too. Prime Video announced a multiyear arrangement that will have Lowry making select on air appearances this season and with plans for expanded duties later. Lowry said “I’m excited to start the next chapter of my basketball journey with the Prime Sports team,” and Miami coach Erik Spoelstra praised his game sense by calling him “a throwback,” a line that reinforces why networks want his voice.

On X, ClutchPoints broke the immediate news and framed the development simply by tweeting “Kyle Lowry will be an analyst on Prime Video when it begins broadcasting NBA games this season, the company announced.” The Associated Press added that Prime will begin NBA on Prime coverage October 24, that Lowry’s deal is multiyear, and that he is expected to make appearances on opening night even though the Sixers do not play that night. Prime described the plan as beginning with select appearances and growing into increased responsibilities over time.

The deal does not mean Lowry is retiring now. And the paper trail supports that conclusion. He signed to return on a veteranPreview Changes (opens in a new tab) one year pact worth roughly $3.3 million dollars. A veteran minimum type arrangement that keeps him available as a backup guard and a mentor for Tyrese Maxey. Last season, Lowry played 35 games, averaging less than four points and less than three assists. He also struggled with a chronic hip problem. Further, Amina Hussein, Prime’s head of on-air sports talent in the U.S., observed that the network is anticipating the contributions he makes on air. “We look forward to Kyle’s contributions to our team both this season as an active player and in the future,” she said.

That active player- acknowledgment also suggests exactly that: Lowry does not have immediate plans to retire. Moreover, the player has said he still hopes to finish his career as a Toronto Raptor with a ceremonial one day contract quoting- “I’m gonna take my one day, whenever I retire, and I want to finish my career as a Toronto Raptor. I’m gonna finish it because what that place did for me… we will never get that back”. The Prime Video role gives him a clean transition plan after he stops playing, and for this season it looks like he will balance both jobs by offering TV analysis around his on court work and mentorship in Philadelphia.

This broadcasting opportunity secures Lowry’s future in basketball, but his present remains firmly on the court in Philadelphia. So next we look at how Philadelphia sees him fitting into its push this season.

Lowry’s homecoming season with the 76ers

By signing that one-year deal in July, Kyle Lowry ensured he would return for a third consecutive season with his hometown team. This move marks his 20th year in the league, making him just the 12th player in NBA history to reach that milestone. His responsibilities are quite clear: to act as a third layer behind Tyrese Maxey and to act as a priceless mentor to the younger guards of the team, including a rookie. Jared McCain.

The Sixers are hoping that Lowry can be effective with the non-quantifiable aspects of his attributes that coaches such as Erik Spoelstra have always raved about. Spoelstra once noted, “You can’t just look at his numbers… It’s the impact that he has on winning.” Lowry’s leadership and playoff experience are seen as assets for a team with championship aspirations centered around Joel Embiid and Maxey, especially after a season disrupted by injuries.

Despite his declining statistics, Lowry’s desire to compete is undiminished. He has consistently spoken about his love for Philadelphia and his belief in the organization’s potential. His return on a team-friendly deal gives the 76ers flexibility while keeping a respected voice in the locker room. For now, retirement can wait, as Lowry focuses on one more season of contributing to a title chase before his broadcasting career fully begins.